DAY 3: Ending the Again of the Dragon

We awakened early to an overcast and foggy morning, however you possibly can inform that it could burn off rapidly. Plus, the climate channel said it was not going to rain wherever on our whole route!  It didn’t take lengthy to start out up the motorbike and get us again on US Route 16, the Again of the Dragon.

Driving down Gauley Mountain is like using The Tail of the Dragon and the trickiest elements of the Again of the Dragon…in reality it’s among the trickiest elements of the Again of the Dragon.  It’s also a part of the “Talon” one to the identify using roads in West Virginia.

On the backside of the mountain is Cathedral Falls.  It’s, after a rain, a spectacular 80-foot waterfall.  Many weddings and different occasions are held right here, and it’s price your time for a fast cease and picture alternative.

Again on the motorbike we’re using via the outdated city Gauley Bridge.  As you cross the bridge into city look north and you will note outdated bridge pilings wanting forlorn within the river.  These are the stays of the bridge burned down in the course of the American Civil Struggle.

Heading north out of Gauley Bridge it was fairly clear that there had been a number of rain, giant sections of the highway had dry mud that now trailed as mud behind the motorbike. The Gauley River to our proper was mild brown and swollen to its banks.  It was an ideal view for the experience. 

The highway was in good situation general with only some locations exhibiting extra put on and tear.  Lengthy riverside valley rides gave solution to mountain passes with sweepers and tight turns again to valley using.  It was not lengthy earlier than we had been passing via the cities of Clay, Grantsville, and Harrisville.  Which jogged my memory that the Again of the Dragon may be referred to as the county seat highway.  Lots of the cities alongside Route 16 are county seats all the way in which again to Tazwell, VA.

All too quickly we had been descending into the Ohio River valley and the city of Saint Mary’s, additionally a county seat, and the tip of this Dragon. 

I extremely suggest that you just add the entire Again of the Dragon to your bucket record of rides. The tight mountain twisties, the sleek valley using and the completely superior vista make this a experience like few others.

*****

RIDE ON, RIDE SAFE